LONDON.- Bonhams 16th annual Aston Martin Works Sale set a new record for the event, achieving £10,280,275. The 1966 Aston Martin DB5 Convertible in ‘Vantage’ specification was the highest price car of the sale, selling for £1,524,700 and, adding all-important Hollywood sparkle to the event, the ex-Sir Peter Ustinov 1962 DB4 Series IV Vantage Convertible, sold for almost the same amount at £1,513,500.

The largest auction in Bonhams 16 year history at Aston Martin Works, the sale featured more than 50 motor cars and 170 lots of automobilia, with 25% of motor cars left-hand drive specification.

Further sale highlights include the most famous of all ‘James Bond’ Aston Martins, the 1964 Aston Martin DB5 4.2-Litre Sports Saloon, at £595,100; the 1968 Aston Martin DB6 ‘Mark 1’ Volante at £561,500; and the 1960 Aston Martin DB4 ‘Series 1’ Sports Saloon selling for £494,300.

“As pioneers of the single-marque sale, we’ve returned to the Works Service here in Newport Pagnell for another great auction, exceeding all previous year’s totals, with £10.3 million of motor cars sold,” said Bonhams UK Head of Motor Cars. “The quintessentially British marque of Aston Martin attracts interest from enthusiasts across the world, a fact demonstrated here today as we took bids from all corners of the globe. This year’s sale attracted a larger and more cosmopolitan than ever before, achieving an excellent result.

“The market demonstrated that there is a ready appetite for exceptional examples, even for models that had previously been regarded as not particularly fashionable. The result we achieved for a Virage Coupe illustrated this with £74,300 realised for the stunning 1990 model."

Barn find and project cars continued to demonstrate their popularity, with the 1958 Aston Martin DB Mark III Sports Saloon selling at twice top estimate, achieving £104,540, and a 1959 Aston Martin DB Mark III Sports Saloon soaring above top estimate, selling for £115,740.

Paul Spires, Commercial Director at Aston Martin Works, said: “Today’s Aston Martin Sale has been another hugely memorable occasion with keen bidding, strong sales, and rare and collectable Aston Martin sports cars going to buyers around the world.

“Despite the mixed weather there was a superbly sociable ‘garden party’ atmosphere among the 2,000 or so Bonhams guests who joined us here today – enjoying the sale and helping us to celebrate our 60 years in fine style.”